SCOREBOARD: WSW 1 - 1 BRI

The second-place Wanderers dominated large portions of the match but looked as if they would end the night empty-handed, until a late Labinot Haliti goal went some way to sending the vocal Western Sydney crowd home happy.

The highly anticipated clash was an often feisty affair, but it will be Brisbane most satisfied with the result as it was well marshalled by Western Sydney throughout the match.

An energetic opening resulted in a number of corners for the Wanderers, but the hosts were unable to make the most of their set-piece opportunities.

Western Sydney started strongly, but its enthusiasm and fearsome pressing counted for little as James Donachie found space on Brisbane's right side and picked out Besart Berisha in the 14th minute.

The chance appeared to have passed the Albanian after a questionable first touch, but he quickly recovered and classily swept the ball home with his left foot.

The Wanderers recovered quickly, as Youssouf Hersi's pace and trickery led to a number of free-kicks in dangerous positions, however they struggled to penetrate the Roar defence.

The hosts' best chances came via a Hersi breakaway, that drew a tidy save from Roar keeper Michael Theo, and a misguided Matthew Spiranovic header from one of the Wanderers' many set-piece opportunities.

It was a first half that struggled for momentum, as the commitment of both sides resulted in an incredible 27 fouls and a relative midfield stalemate.

The Wanderers were all action at the start of the second half though, and only the post could deny Brendan Santalab as he tried to squeeze a shot past Theo from a tight angle.

Western Sydney persistently attacked, and dominated Brisbane in a fashion seldom seen in the A-League over the past few seasons, but the all-important goal continued to elude the hosts.

Chances fell to Spiranovic, Santalab and Mark Bridge, while Theo was called into action on a number of occasions, but remarkably Brisbane kept the Wanderers at bay.

A rare second-half counter attack by the Roar saw substitute Henrique through on goal, but his rushed effort rolled harmlessly wide.

With 10 minutes to play, it appeared as if Brisbane had weathered the brunt of Western Sydney's storm, but there was little they could do about Aaron Mooy's devilish cross in the 85th minute.

The ball fell perfectly to the run of Haliti at the back post who poked home Western Sydney's equaliser.